Overview
Eligible Program
Our curriculum will allow you to grow into your new RN role.
For the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) looking to advance your career path, the Registered Nursing (LPN to RN) program at Mitchell Tech is a two-year program designed to build upon your previously learned and practiced foundational nursing knowledge. Ideal for LPNs who have been in the profession for years as well as those just completing their LPN degree, this program supports a smooth transition into the RN role. Our curriculum is designed to help you grow professionally while expanding your scope of practice and career opportunities.
As an RN student at Mitchell Tech, you will master scientific, physiologic, psychosocial, and fundamental nursing knowledge which will expand and develop your critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills. With nursing theory and general education classes delivered online, the program requires minimal trips to campus. You will attend clinicals one day a week within the Mitchell and surrounding communities to expand your nursing knowledge and skills. The RN program will also incorporate clinical simulation experiences using Mitchell Tech’s sim labs and virtual technology.
The program offers added flexibility for recent LPN graduates during the first semester, allowing students to take courses toward their RN degree while completing LPN licensure requirements and working as an LPN. This structure allows students to continue gaining valuable experience in the field while earning income as they progress toward their RN.
Upon completion of the LPN to RN program, you will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN. Obtaining your RN degree will provide you with more opportunities to transition into a variety of expanded nursing roles.
Graduates of the RN program will find jobs in a variety of settings that may include acute care, long-term care, ambulatory care, home health care, correctional facilities, outpatient care facilities and other settings where nurses are needed.
Curriculum
Award: AAS Degree
AAS Degree One Year Plan
Prerequisites
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
AAS Degree TWO Year Plan
Prerequisites
First Semester (Fall)
Second Semester (Spring)
Third Semester (Fall)
Fourth Semester (Spring)
Fifth Semester (Summer)
Requirements
Admission Into Mitchell Tech
- Complete admission application
- Have a high school transcript sent to Mitchell Tech
- Have your college or technical school transcripts sent to Mitchell Tech
Admission Requirements For RN
- Hold a current and unencumbered LPN/LVN/PN license by the start of the second semester
- GPA from graduating LPN program at 2.5 or above
- Have a C or above on all prerequisite courses:
- Mathematical Reasoning or equivalent
- General Psychology
- Complete 600 hours of paid work experience as an LPN by the start of the second year of the program
- Return one work reference from current supervisor
Next Steps For Accepted Students
Once you have been formally accepted into the RN program, you will be required to complete the following:
- Submission of your immunization record with documentation of all required immunizations (at your expense)
- Complete a criminal background check (at your expense)
- Undergo a student physical (at your expense)
- Present proof that you carry health insurance (at your expense)
- Current CPR certification
- Complete required documents provided to you by program administrator
Computer Requirements
This program allows you to bring your own laptop as long as it meets these minimum specifications:
Processor – Intel Core i Series (i3, i5, i7) or AMD Ryzen
Operating System – Windows 10
Webcam Recommended
Memory – 4 GB or more
Internal Storage – 64 GB or more
Microsoft Office is available at no charge as long as enrolled at Mitchell Tech
NO APPLE/MAC COMPUTERS
Licensure Disclosure
Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN and be licensed as an RN in South Dakota. Students who are not South Dakota residents or South Dakota residents who are seeking employment outside South Dakota should contact that state’s Board of Nursing for any additional requirements (Board of Nursing Professional Licensure Requirements | NCSBN)
*Inquiries and questions may be directed to the South Dakota Board of Nursing or MTC Nursing Program Director.
Mitchell Technical College has determined that our program’s curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Mitchell Technical College has made no determination that our program’s curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands.
South Dakota is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact which allows a nurse that is licensed and residing in South Dakota to be able to practice in other compact states without obtaining additional licensure. This compact gives multistate rights to registered nurses and licensed practical nurses residing in a member state. The South Dakota Board of Nursing and National Council State Boards of Nursing provides additional details about the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Outcomes
- Incorporate standards of nursing practice and clinical judgment to provide cost-effective, safe, and skilled nursing care.
- Display innovation, prioritization, and leadership through the use of evidence-based practice and technology.
- Model holistic, culturally sensitive, compassionate nursing care for the client and family.
- Uphold client advocacy through assertive, ethical, and client-centered care.
- Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration through the use of effective communication.
- Value the qualities of integrity, determination, life-long learning, and accountability in the role of the professional nurse.
Annual Program Review
Check out the 2025-26 Annual Program Review for information on how faculty ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program.
Faculty
Instructor
Nursing Instructional Technician
Instructor
Program Coordinator
Instructor
Cost
Other Required Costs
Books / Tools (estimated) $100
Scholarships
Mitchell Tech offers a variety of scholarships to qualified applicants. The application period runs from October 1 through November 1 for current students and January 1 through March 31 for incoming students.
Accreditation
The Mitchell Tech LPN to RN Nursing program has been granted Full Approval by the South Dakota Board of Nursing (SDBON).
For further information regarding the program’s status with SDBON, please contact:
Dr. Carena Jarding, DNP, RN
Nursing Program Director
Mitchell Technical College
1800 E. Spruce St.
Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-7148
Quality Indicators
Licensure exam rates for Registered Nursing program graduates (National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nursing)
| Exam Year | First-time Candidates | Passing | Percentage Passing |
| 2022 | 20 | 19 | 95% |
| 2023 | 21 | 21 | 100% |
| 2024 | 24 | 23 | 96% |
| 2025 | 23 | 23 | 100% |
Completion rate for Registered Nursing program
| Cohort Year | Number Beginning Program | Number Graduating in 150% of Normal Time to Graduate | Completion Rate |
| 2021-22 | 23 | 20 | 87% |
| 2022-23 | 25 | 21 | 84% |
| 2023-24 | 28 | 24 | 86% |
| 2024-25 | 33 | 23 | 70% |
Placement rate for Registered Nursing program graduates
| Year Graduated | Number Responding Graduates | Number Employed or Continuing Ed within 6 Months of Graduation | Placement Rate |
| 2022 | 20 | 20 | 100% |
| 2023 | 21 | 21 | 100% |
| 2024 | 24 | 24 | 100% |
| 2025 | 24 | 24 | 100% |
Other Related Programs
If you’re interested in Registered Nursing, you might also be interested in these other health science programs at Mitchell Tech.
Social Services
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Radiologic Technology
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
